V I R G I N I A R U G B Y C L U B
VIRGINIA U18 WIN LEAGUE OPENER.
On Saturday last Virginia U18 opened their 2016/2017 season against local rivals County Cavan R.F.C.
Despite playing against a strong breeze Virginia were able to retain possession for long spells in the opening minutes. They gradually built up pressure and started to stretch Cavan defense. After another spell of few phases Number 8 Rory Smith found a gap and powered his way through for the opening try of the game. Daragh O’Leary converted to bring the score to 7-0 after 4 minutes.
Connor McHugh was next to add his name on the score sheet when he concluded a good backline move. Once again O’Leary added 2 points 14-0.
Smith was to score his second try of the day shortly after, once again from close range, 19-0 as the conversion was missed.
Charlie Reilly was to conclude the half when he intercepted a pass from one of Cavan attacking move to run unopposed between the posts. 26-0 with O’Leary conversion.
It was a solid opening half from the local lads, they starved Cavan of possession as they totally dominated the set pieces and open play.
Cavan up the tempo and the second half and threatened Virginia line on a few occasions but the local lads showed great determination to keep Cavan at bay.
12 minutes into the second half, Virginia obtained a lineout in the visitors 22 metres. Despite the strong breeze, Hooke Luke Sherriff nailed his throw, possession was secured and a good maul was formed. Flanker Steven Ryan broke away only to be stopped metres from the line. An exceptional seal-off from scrum-half Sean Warren ensure continuity of action. Rory Smith picked and go, as he was hastily pushed towards the touch line, he skilfully flicked the ball behind his back. The trick pass landed in Conor Cahill’s hands. The Denn man showed great skills to gather the ball and gracefully dive across the line. 31-0 as the tough conversion was missed.
Both teams started to tire and the penalty count was mounting. Virginia were to suffer the referee’s ire in quick succession. Owen Doyle and Steven Ryan were to be sinned-binned 1 minute apart from each other for infringements at the ruck.
Despite being outnumbered Virginia kept going and managed to score few minutes later. Once again from a secured lineout the ball was sent to centre Jason Shekleton. Shekleton powerful run broke a couple of tackles and he powered his way over the line for Virginia sixth try. No conversion, 36-0.
Virginia went back to the full 15 and were to score once more through winger Mantas Ivaskevicius. A clever kick from fly-half Adrian Rogers put Cavan rear guard under fierce pressure. The clearing kick was poor and landed in Ivaskevicius’ hands 40 metres from the line. The winger thundered down the pitch, evaded the last tackle with a nifty inside step and scored. 41-0 as the conversion was missed.
Nothing was to be score for the remaining 5 minutes and the referee blew the final whistle.
A good opening fixtures for Virginia. Both teams are to be commended for their efforts on the day and the exemplary sportsmanship displayed despite the local rivalry.
A tricky away trip to the Atlantic coast awaits Virginia U18 next as they’ll be taking on Ballyshannon R.F.C. on Saturday 1st of October.
U14s START THE SEASON IN STYLE
The U14s started off their league campaign today with a dominant performance when they welcomed local rivals Cavan RFC to The Deerpark. Some impressive tackling from Darren Kavanagh, Eli Caffrey and Donal Maguire turned Cavan over early, with quick ball from Oscar Erickson at scrum half to Conor Nulty who split Cavan’s defence for the first try. From the restart the forwards again were excellent, with good work from Luke Morris and Mathew Byers securing ball at the breakdown time and again, allowing Mark Gibney to burst through for his try. Next it was Nathan Tobin’s turn to make a break and out run Cavans defence from the half way line to score out wide. Cavan were no push overs and competed for everything, and when Mark made a good line break on the left he was closed down with a hefty tackle, but was able to offload to Jake White Duffy who took it on volleyball style and scored in the corner, with excellent support play from Cormac Monaghan at full back. The first half finished 22-0.
In the second half Virginia were determined to put the game out of Cavans reach, with splendid backline play from Luke Doyle, Malachy Walker, and Ciaran Levi Valensi enabling Conor and Jake to add two quick trys. With fresh legs off the bench the ball handling only seemed to get better, with Nathan Finane, Tyrone Tynan, and Alfie Jackson all playing their part to get Patrick Sheridan over in the corner for his try. Cavan were never giving up though and quickly scored their own try at the other end, but Virginia were just too good today, with James Tuite and Conan Fitzpatrick now on to battle at the breakdown and Tiernan Walsh at scrumhalf, Kieran Duffy got over for the last try, with 3 conversions from Jake making the final score 46-5. A great start to their first season as a squad, and they’ll hope to bring that form forward when they travel to Ballyshannon on Saturday 1st October.
ULSTER U18 GIRLS INTERPROVINCIAL
All the hard work training over the last four months is starting to pay off for the girls from Ulster. So far they have had back to back victories against Leinster 10-05 and Connaught 34-05. The Ulster girls hosted Leinster in Armagh on the 17th of September last, and it turned out to be a very fast and skilful game of rugby and the first time that any province has beaten Leinster at u18 level. Connaught hosted Ulster in Dubarry Park, Athlone on 25th of September. The game was played under difficult weather conditions. Connaught had the upper hand for first 10 minutes, but Ulster settled into the game and became the dominate side winning comfortably 34-05.
The Ulster U18 team is made up of twenty three talented girls from around the province. Six of the girls come from Virginia RFC, the largest single group of girls from any one club. Next up is the challenge of Munster in Dublin’s Westmanstown Sports ground on Saturday 2nd of October.
